Interleague highlights include New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays at home, Boston Red Sox on the road. Marlins now the Miami Marlins

The Washington Nationals today released their 2012 schedule, a late starter compared to previous seasons beginning on the road on Thursday, April 5 at Wrigley Field, followed by the home opener on Thursday, April 12 vs. Cincinnati. Highlights include a three-game interleague visit from the New York Yankees June 15-17, and holiday matchups against the San Francisco Giants (Independence Day) and Chicago Cubs (Labor Day). The Nationals are not at home on Memorial Day.

The Nationals receive three visits apiece from all National League East rivals, including seven weekend sets against the Philadelphia Phillies (May 4-6), New York Mets (August 17-19), Atlanta Braves (June 1-3, July 20-22) and the newly-named Miami Marlins (April 20-22, August 3-5, September 7-9).

The Nationals-Orioles interleague rivalry is resumed at Nationals Park May 18-20. The Nationals visit Oriole Park at Camden Yards from June 22-24.

The Nationals will also host a three-game interleague series vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, June 19-21, and will also make interleague treks to Boston (June 8-10) and Toronto (June 11-13).